Browsing mineral makeup

The secret to getting your makeup look done and out the door in 5 minutes is to use multi-taskers like ones that are tinted. Since you don’t have to be as precise with tinted versions, time is on your side. Here are some in each category you should cover in order to at least look polished.

First up is a Tinted Moisturizer or tinted BB Cream. They can be applied with your fingers or a sponge and not only are they usually available in quite a few shades but they give just a hint of tint so you don’t have to worry about overdoing it. And some even come with a built-in SPF, so you’re saving a few extra seconds on your routine right there! Here are some I recommend:

New
from the COVER FX line is their Pressed Mineral Foundation and this is only the
second press mineral foundation I have ever tried, so I guess it’s hard to make
a mineral foundation powder in a press form … or am I reading too much into
this?!

Anyway,
I just love the coverage I get from mineral foundations and a pressed formula
is much more convenient to tote around than the loose version.

And is it shallow to be in love with the application sponge? Love when a
company splurges in this department!

This
pressed one is a medium to full coverage and is available in 24 different shades
and you can find your perfect match just by knowing what your undertones are
(google it) and then use that info to find your shade: P = Pink, N = Neutral
and G = Golden. I think that if there is any part of beauty that is confusing,
it’s the whole, “What are your undertones?” part but once you have that down,
the rest is pretty easy. $35 @ sephora.com and coverfx.com.

I
wonder what the BARE ESCENTUALS stats are like when it comes to their signature
foundation. Like 1 in 10 women wear bareMinerals Foundation. I’m sure they have
done studies but now they’ve upped the anti with their newREADY SPF 20
Foundation. It’s their first foray into a solid mineral foundation and I’m
liking it so far. And obviously this one is sooo much easier to tote around in
your purse!

The
powder contains a SeaNutritive Mineral Complex, which is made up of major
antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E as well as rose hip see oil. It also has
a unique time-released hydration system so it won’t settle into lines and
creases like some foundations can, and extra moisture is good for the skin,
right?

Available
in 20 shades for $29/14grams.

And
I love, love, love (as they say on QVC) their Precision Face Brush ($28). It’s
a dense brush head and comprised of synthetic bristles. I’m not sure if it’s
the flat head or the width of it but it’s just perfect with this foundation. And
it also comes in a travel-friendly version called the Retractable Precision
Face Brush ($22).So get your travel on!

I love an improvement on an existing product and that’s exactly what MINERALS MATE has done – made improvements to their already useful product. As we all know, mineral makeup powders can be messy and we generally use the cap the product comes in to get it on the brush. So MM has tried to harness the problem by not only creating a palette to lay the powders in but now safely store them until the next use. That’s right – they now come with caps so you can cap what you have not used for the next use. They also seems to weigh less then the original one I tried, so kudos to that too!

So how do you feel about mineral makeup? There are quite a few lines that have come out over the years and I’ve explored some of them here and even though it’s an old story at this point, I’m still intrigued by lines I come across, especially by this one here, MINERAL HYGENICS.

I really like their website and how clear they are about the ingredients inside their makeup. I mean, it is(it) all about what’s inside and what’s not(it) inside the powders. And you really need to get to know your mineral makeup, especially if you have sensitive skin because some ingredients have been known to be irritating. If you are a sensitive type, you may have some luck with this Mineral Hygenics line of foundation powders as each contains just 4 ingredients: mica, iron oxides, zinc oxides and titanium dioxide. That’s it and they break down other mineral makeup lines as well so you can see side-by-side what contains what.

So this MH has sun protection (zinc oxides and titanium dioxide), is water resistant and lasts quite a long time on the skin.

They have some nicely priced sets to choose from as well as blushes, eye shadows and lipsticks but as usual, I tend to judge a mineral line by its powder foundations first and then the rest and I’m giving this line a thumbs up. Starter kits startat $29.99 @ mineralhygenics.com.

I wonder how mineral powders sell compared to mineral lipsticks. I mean the whole premise was built on foundation powders. I, for one, like mineral lippies but only when I’m looking for a sheer color as they have not really perfected the super pigmented formula just yet or at least that I’ve come across.

So how did these ones from PUR MINERALS fair? Click after the jump to see!

I love to give the gift of BARE ESCENTUALS. They really put mineral makeup on the map and I love all their sets they come out with for the holidays. Here are few I’m recommending for the beauty lover on your list.

And I’m still a firm believer in their Get Started Kit ($60) for the beauty lover in your life that maybe is interested in mineral makeup but doesn’t know where to start. This one contains all the essentials: two shades of bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation (size medium), Original Mineral Veil (size medium), Warmth All-Over Face Color (size medium), Full Flawless Face Brush, Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, How-To DVD, Bonus gift of Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo (full size).

CLINIQUE Repairwear Laser Focus All Smooth Makeup SPF 15 ($32.50/1oz @ clinique.com) - this is the latest foundation from the brand that includes an anti-aging serum in it as well as a spf. This comes in 12 shades.